JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonMax (2002) - Trailer Included
April 9th 2007 02:12
Max
DVD Cover
Starring: John Cusack, Noah, Taylor, Molly Parker, Leelee Sobieski, Kevin McKidd,
“Come on Hitler, I'll buy you a glass of lemonade” - Max
In a modern world dominated by easy labels Adolf Hitler is a poster boy for “evil”. There is no doubt he committed unforgivable atrocities and was a vile and disgusting human being but instead of trying to understand and learn from the past, Hitler is often thought of as simply an inhuman monster.
The film Max, examines Hitler’s formative years from 1918 Munich where he returns from horrific battle in the trenches of WWI, through to him entering the Nationalist Socialist Party and the crippling of Germany with the Treaty of Versailles.
In the same way as Oliver Hirschbiegel’s Downfall, this fictional film does not ask you to sympathise with Hitler but to try and see him as a person. Fascinating and engrossing, how easily history could have been different. This hypothetical tale doesn’t put the dictator front and centre, instead it tells the story of a Jewish art dealer named Max Rothman (John Cusack).
The culmination of several real life figures in the post WWI European art world, Rothman befriends a young struggling artist named Hitler (Noah Taylor) just after he has returned from the fighting in the bloody trenches. Adolf has witnessed the brutality and horror of combat and now struggles to find a place in society.
“You're an awfully hard man to like, Hitler, but I'm gonna try. Because if I've learned anything over the past four years, it's that we all shit the same, scream the same, and die the same.” - Max
Anxious, quivering incessantly biting his nails young A.H understands the fundamentals of art technique and is obviously passionate but lacks the confidence or direction to truly mature stylistically.
“I keep going back to this notion of "authentic voice". What I mean to say is, I was there, and you were there, and I know what it looked like... but what did it *feel* like?” - Max
At the same time he is still in the army and makes money public speaking for the socialist parties with hate filled tirades that command attention, delivered with the same demonstrative force that would later captivate a nation. Existing between the two worlds one night he discovers the key to his future notoriety with the equation; Art plus Politics = Power.
How do I look, is the hair OK?
John Doe says:
Beautifully shot, carefully acted the film maintains its clever conceit to become a provocative and thoughtful character drama set against the backdrop of a country in ruins.
It a shame the script wasn’t written in German because it really is quite well worded. Delving into the psychology and motivations of prejudice and seeking to understand why and what pain and fear shaped this highly recognizable leader. Through his relationship with the Max we see the touchstone events that led to the birth of his destructive vision and his skill with the art of propoganda.
Surprisingly managing to also have fun with the dialogue, things like having Rothman’s character mispronounce Hitler’s name after their first meeting works because of the authentic settings.
Aussie Noah Taylor (Almost Famous, Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Year My Voice Broke) steps into the character of Hitler without self conscienceness and the results are mesmerizing. He nails the quirks and importantly his sincere performance shows us a side to the part we have never seen onscreen.
In the central part of Max, actor John Cusack (Grosse Point Blank, The Grifters, High Fidelity, Say Anything) pushes himself with the material and lodges a memorable turn. A labour of love, in real life he wavered his fee to do the part and you can tell he is happy to be playing the part of a more morally questionable and less softened character than his usual romantic leads.
Molly Parker (Deadwood, Kissed) as Max’s wife works well with Cusack and there is a chemistry between them. LeeLee Sobieski (Eyes Wide Shut) as his mistress is uneven but still look great in period costume.
John Doe is fascinated by this kind of what-if-scenario, the more you read about Hitler in history books the more complex and hypocritical his decisions appear.
This film feels very timely It’s interesting to look at the tools of propaganda, the power of repeating a lie, the unwavering belief in an illusion and the fuelling of fear to accomplish selfish personal and financial gains.
It happens all the time, it’s happening right now on every news channel and we let it happen. I think that’s why so many people prefer the quick easy judgement on extremists like Hitler because to look at them closely we might see a hint of ourselves that we hoped never existed. Ignorance and apathy to murder and killing on the grounds that one race or culture is superior to another and that a supposedly civilised nation can judge all people under their own self serving laws.
Frighteningly today, we don’t even officially wage war against a particular country or declare our enemy by name, instead we just use the airy fairy, broad stroke term of a war on “evil” or “terror”. What truly surprises though is how haneous corporate or psychopathic dictators like this still manage to rise up and convince the masses with the same methods as Hitler and Stalin that their nation deserves to rule the world.
That’s why history is important, to learn from past mistakes and at least always remember that it's the innocent, unofiliated civilians that suffer the worst in any act of violence. It would be nice if politicians took responsability for declaring wars by grabbing a gun and being the first in the line of fire when the shit hits the fan.
The DVD
Transfer: 2:35:1 Widescreen/ 5.1 Dolby Digital
Extras: Directors Commentary and Theatrical Trailer
Watch the trailer below
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Comment by yoda76
The Tube Blog
It's on the list. High.
Comment by Norm
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
Arses and Elbows
Footy Power
you've left me with an indelible image of a politician sitting in front of a fan with a gun, waiting to fire off a few rounds at the impending shit that's about to come his way.
Thanks.
Norm...
Comment by Filmpeeker
Film Peek
Gizmo Peek
Film Peek Forum
I will re-see it, because it has been a while and this review made me hungry again.
Cya,
filmpeeker
Comment by JoshZ
A Simple Christian
JZ
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I hope the film provides you with food for thought. It was a very low key release and obviously the subject matter scared many away. Plus because it toys with history Im sure some were annoyed.
Norm you always make me laugh. Have I told you lately I love your style?
Hi Filmpeeker,
Good to meet another fan of this under discussed gem. Proud to have relit your enthusiasm to re-visit the film.
Hi Cib, with this film its my fascination with Hitler that attracted me. To tell you the truth I was skeptical about Cusack in an against type role. Its not that he plays a villian or anything but the part demands a bit more of himn than usual.
For the record I am a fan of John Cusack because he is one of the few "everyman" actors working that I can tolerate. I find he plays-an-average-guy type (EG: Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise) that I noramally find so terminally dull to watch with intelligence and an subtle edge. For me there is a sincerity in Cusacks performances that make me believe he is playing himself whether its in Grosse Point Blank, High Fidelity or The Grifters, 3 very different parts. Shame he has made a truck load of stinkers in recent years.
JoshZ, you should be able to find it a copy at most video stores, its a little harder to find for purchase though JB should have it in stock.
Comment by Nickoftime's Sanity Corner
does look like a film I'd be interested in...great view and loved the trailer...
I think watching this film may enhance my history of Hitler...
Take care,
Nick
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
The film does play with the facts but still overall is offers insight into the shaping of the man.
Would love to read some feedback once you have seen it.